Democracy and Representation (MSc)

Required documents

When you apply for admission, you’ll be asked to submit several documents.

Note: If you have a Dutch diploma that grants direct admission, you will generally not be asked to submit additional documents.

Required application documents

You’ll need to submit the following documents:

You can apply for admission before receiving the results of your English language test. However, a sufficient result will then be a condition of your eventual admission. Of course, if you already have your English language test results, you can upload them directly.

Digital copies of diplomas and transcripts are initially required. Once you have been admitted, we will inform you how to submit certified copies.
The documents must be in the original language. If they are not in English, Dutch, German or French, they must be accompanied by official translations into one of these languages.
If you have not yet completed your current programme, state your expected graduation date and submit copies of all transcripts obtained to date plus a list of subjects still to be completed.

Supporting documentation

In addition to the required documents, depending on your situation, you can submit additional documentation to support your application:

As stated in the admission requirements, in your previous education you have completed at least 80 ECTs in courses in Political Science or a related discipline. If your bachelor programme was not in Political Science, but in a related discipline, please use this spreadsheet in your application to illustrate that you meet this requirement:

› Overview of courses taken in Political Science or relevant subjects (Excel file)

› Overview of courses taken in Political Science or relevant subjects (Open Document spreadsheet)

In case you do not not meet the admission criteria (a grade point average of 7 or higher, and/or 80 ECTS of course work in Political Science), your application may still be considered.

Additional criteria that can support your application in that case:

the presence of a significant progression of grades, in particular in subjects relevant to the specialisation;
grades above 7 in relevant subjects, even though the average final grade is below 7;
the successful completion of a summer school or other significant specialised, relevant, training;
prior engagement in professional life in a relevant field of specialisation for a minimum of two years.

Documentation that can be taken into account for assessing the above criteria:

a motivation letter;
letters of recommendation;
your CV (part of the required application documents);
or other supporting materials.

Letters of recommendation must be written on letterhead paper, signed and (for verification purposes) they must bear the full contact details of the applicable referee.
Your referee should describe your skills, qualities and competencies.

Option 1. Uploading the letter yourself
You can upload the letter(s) of recommendation in the online application portal (uSis).

Option 2. Sent by your referee
Your referee can send the letter directly to the university, as follows:

1. Your referee must clearly state your name and student number in the letter.
2. He or she should send the letter to us, either:

digitally, by uploading the letter in our contact form
by posting it to:

Leiden University
Admissions Office
Rapenburg 70
2311 EZ Leiden
The Netherlands

3. Complete this form and upload it in the online application system (uSis), instead of your letter of recommendation.

Go to the next step: › Start your application